WELL-known drama coach Carol Godby is well on cue to transforming a shutdown Bury snooker club into what is being hailed as the UK's first teen dance and fitness centre.
Conversion work is continuing at the former Bury Snooker Club in Bolton Street and the new centre, to be known as The Zone, is scheduled to open its doors later this year.
Carol, dubbed Bury's very own "starmaker," says the new, stylish 5,000 sq ft dance centre and teenage gym, aimed at those aged between 11 and 19, will revolutionise exercise for the younger generation by offering fun workout classes, nutritional advice and age appropriate exercise machines.
The business will feature state-of-the-art machines, fitness programmes and the latest music.
Founder Carol runs a drama workshop and management agency, Linton Management, and over the years many of her young pupils have gone on to fulfil starring roles on television.
These include Coronation Street favourites Sam Aston, Chris Fountain, Jennie McAlpine, Georgia May Foote and Helen Flanagan together with the likes of Ralf Little and Jennifer Metcalf. Since 1991, more than 60,000 young people have attended the drama workshop.
Carol said: “Over the last 24 years, we’ve been able to really listen to what the teens want. We’ve heard time and time again that there’s nowhere for them to go where they feel comfortable to exercise as they often feel they don’t fit in, in adults gyms. We want to inspire them to lead vibrant, energetic lives so we’ve created fun and safe adult-free zone where they can meet, make friends and enjoy exercising.”
There will be a number of featured classes throughout the year and The Zone will see internationally-renowned choreographers from London and the US offering specialist dance training as well as sports personalities conducting master classes.
Carol added: “Traditional gyms have restrictions for kids whether it’s the time of the day they can go, or that there’s restricted access on equipment and classes. But we’re breaking the mould.
The Zone has yet to open, but there has already been a great response from people signing up via the website at http://www.thezonefitness.co.uk/
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